Recalls Update

This month, because of the length of this issue, we will list just a few of the recalls that were issued recently. I had hoped that the number of vehicle recalls would slow down a great deal, but that hasn’t been the case.

CORVETTES RECALLED AFTER ROOFS FLY OFF

General Motors Corp. will recall more than 30,000 Corvettes. Customers have complained that the roof flew off while driving the $45,000 sports car. GM received 21 reports of roofs detaching from 2005 and 2006 model-year Chevrolet Corvettes coupes. Thus far there are no reported accidents or injuries, according to the company. GM asked owners of 2005 models to bring their cars into dealerships last year to fix the problem. The company issued a formal recall on May 27th after learning roofs also flew off 2006 models. Joan Claybrook, president of the Washington-based consumer group Public Citizen, observed:

It’s a good thing that GM is doing this recall finally, because no roof is worse than a weak roof. The roof endangers other highway users as it flies off.

The recall applies only to 2005 and 2006 vehicles with roofs that are designed to be detachable by releasing latches. The unintentional separation occurs when adhesive that holds the base of the roof to the car frame weakens and fails, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports on its website. Owners with problem roofs may notice water leaks or a snapping noise when going over a bump, according to GM. The automaker received 395 reports of partial separating of the roof, in addition to the 21 cases of it flying off. The Corvette roof weighs less than 10 pounds and is made of plastic that is molded into a magnesium frame.

Volkswagen AG will recall 362,000 Jettas and New Beetles for brake-light failures, according to NHTSA. The Volkswagen recall covers 1999 through 2002 Jettas and 1998 through 2002 New Beetles, the agency said. A brake light switch may not have been properly installed during previous recalls in 2003 and 2004, and the lights either don’t work or stay on all the time. Volkswagen says that the recall affects vehicles with automatic transmissions and cruise control, and that no accidents or injuries were reported.

Toyota Motor Corp. will begin a global voluntary recall of nearly 320,000 of its hot-selling Prius gasoline-electric hybrid sedans to repair a potentially faulty steering system component. The campaign will involve about 170,000 vehicles sold in the U.S. That represents about two-thirds of the 268,000 sold since the hybrid’s introduction here in July 2000. Toyota, noting that no accidents or injuries had been reported, sent letters in mid-June to owners of 2004 through early 2006 models of the popular hybrid.

The recall also covers eight other Toyota models — none sold in the U.S. — that use the same steering system. In all, Toyota is recalling 986,000 vehicles, more than half of them in its home market, the company said in a statement issued in Japan. The Prius recall does not involve any of the car’s propulsion system components but a potentially understrength piece of the steering shaft assembly that could loosen or crack.

Owners will be asked to take their cars to a local dealer for diagnosis and repair once they receive the formal recall notice. Repairs will be done at no cost to owners. You can get more information on this recall by calling the company’s national customer service line at (800) 331-4331.

DaimlerChrysler AG has recalled about 111,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees after receiving reports of overheating and fires in heated seats. The automaker has received 32 complaints of the front seat electric heater element overheating or leading to a fire, according to a DaimlerChrysler spokesperson. The company apparently knew of a few cases of injuries, but did not have an exact number and says it doesn’t know of any crashes resulting from the defect. The recall involves the 2003-2004 model years of the Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicle with heated seats. Owners are expected to receive letters about the recall this month.

HONDA RECALLS VEHICLES OVER DEFECTIVE PARTS IN STARTING ENGINE

Honda is recalling more than 500,000 vehicles to replace a faulty part used in starting an engine. Among the models affected are Odyssey minivans, CRV SUVs, and Step Wagon minivans. The three models were produced between 1994 and 1997, and more than 78,000 were exported to nations including the U.S. and Canada. Honda says repeated use of the parts that are weak against heat could cause the vehicle’s engine to stop suddenly. Five cases of minor burns were reported after the solder used in the defective parts melted and flowed onto drivers’ feet. The Odyssey vehicle is manufactured at Honda’s plant in Lincoln.

SEIZURE LEADS NOVARTIS TO RECALL PATCHES

The Swiss drug company Novartis AG has recalled its cough-suppressing vapor patch. Consumers to stop using its Triaminic Vapor Patches immediately. The recalled patches include both the mentholated cherry and menthol scented versions sold by Novartis Consumer Health. These patches should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. The patches contain camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol and are meant to be applied to the chest or throat of children as young as 2 years old to allow vapors to reach the nose and mouth. The patches can be removed by children who could place them in their mouths. The recall came after a child suffered a seizure after chewing on one of the patches.

Ingesting camphor or eucalyptus oils can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting or seizure. In the reported case of the seizure, the child apparently recovered that same day. Other complaints associated with the patches include reports of blistering, bruising, scarring, hyperactivity and depigmentation. Parents and other consumers with questions should contact Novartis at (800) 452-0051 or visit http://www.triaminic.com, the company said. Any adverse reactions associated with the patches should be reported to the Food and Drug Administration through the agency’s MedWatch program, either online at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm or by telephone at (800) FDA-1088. Novartis said it has sold more than 50 million Triaminic Vapor Patches since introducing them in 2000. They are sold through pharmacies and retail stores.